Orlan is multimedia artist who uses, video, digital photography, and surgery (Orlan Carnal Art).
Named herself Saint Orlan in 1971.
Surgical operations altered her face in a way that challenges the traditional notions or beauty.
She uses plastic surgery as a medium to express her views on beauty standards.
Surgeries ·Orlan underwent a total of 9 surgeries and entitled them “The Reincarnation of Saint Orlan”. ·Every surgery had a theme. This theme becomes realized as she reads from literary, philosophical, or psychoanalytic texts; while undergoing the surgery. ·Everyone in the surgery room wears a costume designed by Paco Rabamme, Frank Sorbier, Miyake, and Lan Vu. ·She uses props, such as a devil’s pitchfork. Several of her surgeries have had dancers as the surgery takes place. Orlan’s Aim
Surgeons that perform the surgeries work from a computerized image of facial features from women in the renaissance era.
Orlan’s aim is to take certain facial features of these women onto her own face.
The Mona Lisa was used because in today’s standards, she is not considered beautiful. Mona Lisa’s forehead and temples were used.
Diana was used because she did not submit to men. Her nose was used.
Europa’s mouth was used because she looked to another continent, which allowed her to be taken away to an uncertain future.
Venus’ chin was used, she is the goddess of love.
Psyche’s need for love and spiritual beauty made Orlan want to use her eyes.
The first four of the surgeries included lipo, and reduction and shaping of the knees, ankles, buttocks, hips, waist, and neck.
In 1990, after her third surgery she wore a Bride of Frankenstein wig in a portrait.
She did this to bring attention to the fact that female beauty is defined by men for their own pleasures.
Onmipresence ·Omnipresence was her 7th surgery and it took place in 1993. ·Broadcasted live to 15 art galleries in different countries. ·Viewers could ask Orlan questions. ·Surgeries 7, 8, 9 were the formation of the mutant body. During these surgeries Orlan had two silicon implants inserted at her temples. The largest breast were also inserted for her body type. ·When each surgery was finished, she had relics of body tissue made. These consist of a piece of scalp with hair attached, clumps of fat and bloody pieces of gauge. Each ‘artwork’ sold for 1,400 dollars. ·Her 10th surgery is set to occur in Japan. An immense nose will be constructed that would begin in the middle of her forehead. Self-Hybridations ·In 1997 began a project with Pierre Zoville, which was called Self – Hybridations. ·They created digital images that incorporated Orlan’s features of other women and beauty standards of other time periods and from various cultures.
Orlan video
Orlan
Surgeries
· Orlan underwent a total of 9 surgeries and entitled them “The Reincarnation of Saint Orlan”.
· Every surgery had a theme. This theme becomes realized as she reads from literary, philosophical, or psychoanalytic texts; while undergoing the surgery.
· Everyone in the surgery room wears a costume designed by Paco Rabamme, Frank Sorbier, Miyake, and Lan Vu.
· She uses props, such as a devil’s pitchfork. Several of her surgeries have had dancers as the surgery takes place.
Orlan’s Aim
Onmipresence
· Omnipresence was her 7th surgery and it took place in 1993.
· Broadcasted live to 15 art galleries in different countries.
· Viewers could ask Orlan questions.
· Surgeries 7, 8, 9 were the formation of the mutant body. During these surgeries Orlan had two silicon implants inserted at her temples. The largest breast were also inserted for her body type.
· When each surgery was finished, she had relics of body tissue made. These consist of a piece of scalp with hair attached, clumps of fat and bloody pieces of gauge. Each ‘artwork’ sold for 1,400 dollars.
· Her 10th surgery is set to occur in Japan. An immense nose will be constructed that would begin in the middle of her forehead.
Self-Hybridations
· In 1997 began a project with Pierre Zoville, which was called Self – Hybridations.
· They created digital images that incorporated Orlan’s features of other women and beauty standards of other time periods and from various cultures.